Life sentence upheld in Escambia County carjacking, rape and attempted murder

A Florida appellate court has affirmed the conviction and life sentence of a former Pensacola resident who, at age 17, carjacked, kidnapped, raped and shot a male victim.

In May 2016, Deshawn Hurst, now 19, forced the victim into the trunk of a vehicle at gunpoint, drove him to a different location and sexually assaulted him twice at gunpoint. He then drove the victim to another location, shot him in the head and left him to die. The victim survived but was severely injured.

Hurst was found guilty of attempted murder, carjacking with a firearm, kidnapping with a firearm and sexual battery with a deadly weapon. A judge sentenced Hurst to life in prison on each count, but under Florida law Hurst is entitled to have his sentence reviewed after 25 years.

In an appeal to the Florida First District Court of Appeal, Hurst argued that legal precedent had established a juvenile offender who did not commit a homicide offense may not be sentenced to life without parole.

The appellate court dismissed the argument, and reiterated the trial judge's statement that “(Hurst) is not entitled to apply for sentencing review five years early ... merely because his victim survived the attempted murder.”

Hurst was 17 at the time of the offense, but his age wasn't initially taken into consideration when he was sentenced to life in prison. However, the judge held a new sentencing hearing the following day to determine if Hurst should receive a lessened sentenced based on his youth and factors such as immaturity, peer pressure and the possibility for rehabilitation.

The judge ultimately described Hurst's crimes as "monstrous" and reimposed the life sentences.

Hurst is being held at the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution. He began serving his state prison sentence in November 2017, so his first sentencing review would presumably occur in 2042.